Great Ideas

Waltner, Theresa

A Plan for Lent

On Ash Wednesday, use the digital camera to take a snapshot of each child with his or her ashes. Integrate the photos into a writing assignment in which the students finish a sentence starter with their own thoughts. I used: “During Lent, I will pray more, make sacrifices, and give to the poor. I will prepare for Easter by…” Children should reflect on the meaning of Lent and the sacrifices they can truly accomplish.

-Theresa Waltner, Our Lady of the Visitation School, Cincinnati, OH

God Bless Our Troops

Last February our students began a Lenten service project with a stewardship theme. The “God Bless Our Troops” bulletin board correlated with each classroom’s writing letters to our servicemen and women serving in Iraq. Students and faculty with a loved one in the military brought a photo for display, along with the person’s first name, rank and branch of service, and relationship to the submitter. Each week one photo was displayed. At Mass each Thursday needed items and cash were collected and sent to the person pictured on the board that week.

-Mary Van Domelen, Holy Cross Catholic School, Kaukauna, WI

Liturgical Memory Book

To provide an understanding of the continuity of the Gospel message and the liturgical year, our fifth-grade students make Gospel booklets. They create a new journal each time the liturgical season changes, using a cover of the appropriate color (green, purple, or white). Students decorate their books according to their own ideas of symbols relating to the Word. Each class starts with the reading of the day’s Gospel. After discussion, students reflect in their journals on what the Gospel says to them. At the end of the year, each child has a Liturgical Memory Book.

-Jean Euer, Our Lady, Queen of Peace School, Milwaukee, WI

Make Your Own Game

Many children in Third World countries do not have the money or opportunity to have store-bought games or toys. They must invent their own. After familiarizing my students with that reality, I assign each to invent a new game and write down the rules for it. Materials for this project must be found in nature, not purchased. When the games are completed, each student explains and demonstrates how his or her game is played.

-Sr. Barbara Rose Sohler, SSMO, St. Mary of the Valley School, Beaverton, OR

Great Books Talk Show

The sixth-grade class is divided into small groups, with each group assigned to read a different book focused on a single theme. Suggested themes include friendship, overcoming handicaps, heroes, prejudice, and survival. After the students finish reading, each group creates and presents a talk show based on the theme. Students interview others who act as characters from the book or the book’s author. They also provide a book review segment and skits of scenes from their book. The students dress up for their roles. This project is an excellent forum for book reviews and student discussion.

-Wanda N. Wallin, Walsingham Academy, Williamsburg, VA

In Great Ideas, teachers and principals share their suggestions regarding what’s working for them in their schools, particularly ideas that have a wide application. Writers of published suggestions receive a $25 award and the opportunity to be selected as the grand winner who submits the best Great Idea for the school year. Describe your entry in 50 to 100 words and send it to Today’s Catholic Teacher, 26 Reynolds Ave., Ormond Beach, FL 32174.

Theresa Waltner, Our Lady of the Visitation School, Cincinnati, OH

Mary Van Domelen, Holy Cross Catholic School, Kaukauna, WI

Jean Euer, Our Lady, Queen of Peace School, Milwaukee, WI

Sr. Barbara Rose Sohler, SSMO, St. Mary of the Valley School, Beaverton, OR

Wanda N. Wallin, Walsingham Academy, Williamsburg, VA

Underground Natural Gas Storage

Jazol